How to Take Care of Your Flat Roof – Tips and Tricks for Flat Roof Maintenance

By Anna Lockhart.  

Al Torrella of Elite Roofing discusses basic flat roof maintenance tips for homeowners living in inner cities!  

In a recent episode of the AskARoofer Podcast, hosts Lauren and Megan sat down with Al Torrella of Elite Roofing to discuss the importance of roof maintenance and a few basic tips on where to get started with taking care of flat roof homes for those living in inner cities, middle- or lower-income areas.  

Al discussed the first steps homeowners should take before or after buying a house in order to determine how much maintenance needs to be done to prevent leaks and damage. “Roof maintenance is when you go on a flat roof and you make sure the penetrations have flashing, the edging has flashing, the drains have flashing, anything that can have any kind of penetration or protrusion has to have flashing around it. And then, we also look for open seams, siding that can be attached.”  

Another thing homeowners should look out for, Al said, is to check gutters and clean them out. As more cities are starting to see an increase in rainfall, his company has seen an increase in clogged and overflowing gutters. To prevent this, homeowners should be sure to check at least twice a year – in the spring and in the fall – to thoroughly clean out and ensure the gutters are clear of debris.  

Another point Al made is that, for homes with flat roofs, proper ventilation is incredibly important to maintain the quality and lifespan of the structure. Al shared, “Ventilation is always important in a roofing system. Your plywood underneath has to have a certain air flow. And on a flat roof you need to have two vents, one in the front and one in the back. So, air is drawn in, goes underneath the structure and then comes out again.”  

For more tips and flat roofing information, listen to the full podcast episode to learn more from Al!